The father of a policeman forced to resign after referring to an Asian colleague as a 'wog' spoke today of his son's desire to win back his job.

And John Pentith, a retired police officer himself, told of the effect the case is having on his son Rick.

The Telegraph & Argus revealed in June how former Shipley community constable PC Rick Pentith had admitted making the remark about an Asian officer during a row about work rotas.

The Asian officer was not present at the time and the case arose out of a complaint made by a third officer.

The 33-year-old father-of-three was "required to resign'' after a hearing before a panel consisting of an assistant chief constable and two chief superintendents.

A spokesman for West Yorkshire Police said the decision had now been reviewed and upheld by Chief Constable Graham Moore.

John Pentith said his son was devastated by the decision, but had now appealed to the West Yorkshire Police Authority's Police Appeals Tribunal.

He said his son, who had been in the force for 12 years, maintained he did not use the word "wog'', adding that even if the allegation was true, officers in other parts of the country had kept their jobs after more serious offences.

Mr Pentith claimed his son had been the victim of political correctness.

"He was in the wrong place at the wrong time. He'd love to get his job back and he is determined to get justice. One reason he's pursuing it is that he doesn't want anything similar happening to anyone else.

"He got dozens of letters from people who thought it was wrong, and he was very grateful for their support.''

The 55-year-old added: "He puts on a brave face but it's hitting him very hard.

"He's lost a very good job and is still devastated. It's been going on for more than a year now and he's been suffering from stress because of it.

"He's got three kids and a wife to look after but he's signed off sick with stress by the doctor at the moment."

Following the disciplinary hearing, a police colleague believed although it could not be condoned, Rick Pentith's remark had been a "throwaway comment", adding a severe reprimand and fine could have been a more fitting punishment.

And an Asian friend of the former PC - science teacher Sanjiv Nandi who attended the hearing and subsequent Chief Constable's review - maintained he was not a racist, had many friends from all races and was a victim of political correctness.

A West Yorkshire Police statement issued after the hearing said the force's stance on racism had been stated "unambiguously and publicly''.